The fantastic Logitech G533 gaming headset is just $66, one of its lowest prices yet

If you are following my deal round-up posts, then you know I love the Logitech G533 gaming headset. Going on sale for half off at a time that my old gaming headset was dying, the G533 was a godsend, being a wireless headset that worked properly and didn’t randomly change the volume on me. I’ve been using them for about a month now and have had next to no issues with them. They’re comfortable, don’t lose the Bluetooth connection when I head to the kitchen to grab a drink, and they last a long time without needing a recharge.

I’m pretty picky about my headsets, too. I wear glasses and have sensitive ears, so a lot of headsets I’ve picked up either pinch my glasses in an uncomfortable way or made my ears ache after a couple of hours. It’s not the best experience when gaming or watching movies. My last headset did the job for a few years, but eventually, they fell apart and the volume knob became too easy to jostle around.

I knew I couldn’t pick up a cheap headset again, but one perk of being a Deals Guru is that I can usually find what I’m looking for at a discount… with the added bonus that I can then tell you about the same deal and we all benefit. So when I initially saw the Logitech G533 headset, I knew I found a winner and needed everyone to know about it.

When I picked the Logitech G533s up last month, they were $75, half off the MSRP. Now, they’re even lower, and you can grab this quality headset for just $66. I thought it was well worth the price at $75, but you really can’t argue with saving even more! I’m not the only one that likes this headset, either, as it sports a four-star rating on Amazon.

Logitech G533 Gaming Headset

Stop messing with headset wires. Logitech's wireless G533 headset is only $66, and this is a quality buy. With comfortable ear cups, great sound, and a long battery life, these will not disappoint.

Buy from Amazon

Amazon is currently saying the Logitech G533s won’t be in stock again until the 29th, but put your order in now, relax, and they’ll be at your doorstep pretty soon.

The post The fantastic Logitech G533 gaming headset is just $66, one of its lowest prices yet appeared first on xda-developers.

from xda-developers https://ift.tt/31NKGx5
via IFTTT

The new TCL 10 5G UW is Verizon’s cheapest 5G phone

Back in April, TCL introduced a trio of new TCL-branded smartphones, including the TCL 10 5G. While the TCL 10L and 10 Pro have already gone on sale in the U.S. (we even reviewed both of them), we never got a release date for the TCL 10 5G, but now that’s changed. TCL on Tuesday announced the smartphone will be available through Verizon in the U.S. starting October 29 for $399, making it the carrier’s most affordable 5G smartphone. The new smartphone will, of course, support the carrier’s 5G Ultrawide Band (mmWave) and 5G Nationwide (sub-6GHz) networks.

The TCL 10 5G UW isn’t quite at the tip-top of the high-end smartphone market, but it can still hold its own, featuring a 6.53-inch FHD+ LCD, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 765G chipset paired with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage, and a 4,500mAh battery. It also supports Qualcomm’s 18W Quick Charge 3.0, which means you can get up to a 50% charge in just 35 minutes. The phone has both a 3.5mm headphone jack and a microSD card expansion slot.

Unlike the European TCL 10 5G which features a quad-camera setup, though, the TCL 10 5G UW for Verizon features a triple-camera setup. The three cameras on the rear include a primary 48MP sensor, an 8MP ultra wide-angle sensor, and a 5MP macro sensor. The front-facing camera features a 16MP image sensor, with a single hole-punch design that’s fairly small.

The TCL 10 5G UW features a rear-facing fingerprint sensor, in contrast to the under-display fingerprint scanner on the higher-end TCL 10 Pro. Some might prefer the more futuristic under-display fingerprint sensor, but the cost-cutting inclusion of an LCD panel precluded its use.

In terms of software, the TCL 10 5G UW runs TCL UI based on Android 10, and TCL is committing to delivering an update to Android 11 at a minimum as well as 2 years of security patch updates released on a quarterly basis. TCL’s aim with the software is to keep it as close to a stock look and feel as possible while still adding in features here and there, such as a Smart Manager to optimize background app use and Super Bluetooth for playback on multiple simultaneously connected Bluetooth sinks. One feature that is missing on the Verizon model compared to the European model is the Smart Key, which is a dedicated button found on the side of TCL’s other devices to launch Google Assistant. That’s not a huge deal, but it does make using Google Assistant a bit less convenient compared to TCL’s other 10 Series handsets.

TCL 10 5G Forums

Over the last few months, we’ve seen a number of exciting 5G smartphones announced for the U.S. market, including the recent Pixel 4a 5G and Pixel 5. Even Apple has jumped on the 5G market with its new iPhone 12 lineup. For what you get, the TCL 10 5G UW is a decent budget phone, and you can get it for just $399 in Diamond Gray from Verizon on October 29. At its base price, the TCL 10 5G UW undercuts just about every other mmWave-laden 5G phone on Verizon, including the Pixel 4a 5G ($599) and the Galaxy A51 5G ($549). You can knock the price down even further by getting $360 in credit if you open a new line on a Verizon Unlimited plan and trade-in an eligible phone; alternatively, existing customers can sign-up for a Do More, Play More, or Get More Unlimited plan to get up to $250 of trade-in credit.

Specifications	TCL 10 5G UW
Dimensions & Weight	6.44″ x 3.01″ x 0.37″ 7.4oz
Display	6.53-inch LCD LTPS “Dotch” display Top left hole punch FHD+ 2340 x 1080 resolution 395 ppi 19.5:9 aspect ratio 91% screen-to-body ratio 1500:1 contrast ratio Pixelworks fourth-generation display processor HDR Tone Mapping Real-time SDR to HDR conversion Picture clarity enhancements
SoC	Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G: 1x Kryo 475 Gold Prime @ 2.4 GHz 1x Kryo 475 Gold @ 2.2 GHz 6x Kryo Silver @ 1.8 GHz Adreno 620
RAM & Storage	6GB RAM + 128GB
Battery & Charging	4,500 mAh Quick Charge 3.0, 18W (50% in 35 minutes) Reversed wired charging
Rear Cameras	Photo: Primary: 48MP, f/1.9, 1/1.72″ sensor, 0.8µm Secondary: 8MP, super-wide-angle, f/2.2, 1/4″ sensor, 1.12µm pixels Tertiary: 5MP, macro, f/2.2, 1/5″ sensor, 1.12µm pixels Video: 4K/1080p/720p @ 30 fps 1080p/720p @ 60fps 1080p/720p @ 120fps 1080p/720p @ 240fps 720p @ 480fps
Front Cameras	16MP, f/2.2, Single Hole Punch
Security	Rear fingerprint scanner Face Unlock
Connectivity	GSM: 850/900/1800/1900MHz UMTS: 2/4/5/8 LTE: 2/4/5/12/13/46/48/66. Roaming: 3/7/20/28. 5G: n5/n2/n66/n260/n261 VoLTE: Yes NFC Bluetooth 5.0 Wi-Fi: 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, 2×2 MIMO
Audio	3.5mm audio jack Bottom firing mono speaker Super Bluetooth
Android Version	TCL UI based on Android 10
Price & Availability	$399 on October 29

The post The new TCL 10 5G UW is Verizon’s cheapest 5G phone appeared first on xda-developers.

from xda-developers https://ift.tt/2HHqQwF
via IFTTT

UK regulator Ofcom bans sale of network-locked handsets from December 2021

Carriers in the UK will be banned from selling handsets locked to their network from next year. Media regulator Ofcom announced the rule change, citing the need to encourage network switching. At present, although UK networks can still apply a network lock to devices sold through their retail operations many have switched to selling unlocked generic versions already, including O2, Three, Sky Mobile, and Virgin Mobile. The remaining major networks – EE/BT, Vodafone, and Tesco Mobile sell a combination of locked and unlocked handsets.

The traditional argument for locking has been one of security, aimed at reducing fraud and making it more difficult for thieves to dispose off stolen devices. However, Ofcom believes that the complicated and often flawed process required to unlock a handset at the end of a statutory contract period was deterring people from switching to the best service for them, forcing them into sticking with their current provider, and possibly being persuaded to buy an unnecessary new handset.

After proposing the changes last year, Ofcom research found that customers looking to unlock their phones often faced long delays in receiving a code, and sometimes the code didn’t work when it finally did turn up. Additionally, the study found that networks weren’t always clear about whether a handset was unlocked at point-of-sale, leading to nasty surprises for the end-user, further down the line.

The legislation will bring the UK into line with forthcoming European Union regulations under the European Electronic Communications Code, despite the looming specter of Brexit. The UK has pledged to comply with the same standards as the EU on mobile telecoms.

Other regulations announced today include an obligation for networks to offer a clear summary of all elements of their contract, with documentation in accessible formats such as braille and large print options. Customers will also be given enhanced rights to leave mid-contract if their deal is significantly changed. There will also be an investigation into simplifying the process for fixed-line broadband customers wishing to switch from copper wire to fiber optic providers, where there is no automated switching process currently in place.

The new rules on handset sales will apply from December 2021, with the other changes imposed from mid-2022.

---

Source: Ofcom
Story via: BBC

The post UK regulator Ofcom bans sale of network-locked handsets from December 2021 appeared first on xda-developers.

from xda-developers https://ift.tt/37ObsJA
via IFTTT

Google is getting rid of all plastic from packaging by 2025

In August last year, Google shared a new set of hardware and sustainability commitments to reduce its impact on the environment. As part of its sustainability goals, the company planned on using recycled materials in all Made by Google products by 2022. With the launch of the new Pixel and Nest devices earlier this year, Google has achieved this goal two years ahead of schedule. In a blog post on the matter, the company claims that all new Pixel and Nest products launched this year are designed with recycled materials.

Elaborating on the use of recycled materials in this year’s Made by Google hardware, the company notes that the back housing of the Pixel 5 is made with 100% recycled aluminum, the new Nest Audio contains 70 percent recycled plastics, and the trim plate of the Nest Thermostat is made of 75 percent post-consumer recycled plastic. Since Google has already achieved last year’s sustainability goal ahead of schedule, it has now updated its original commitment.

As per the blog post, Google now plans to use recycled or renewable material in at least 50 percent of all plastic used across all its hardware products by 2025. To achieve this new goal, the company plans to prioritize recycled plastics wherever possible. Additionally, the company plans to achieve UL 2799 Zero Waste to Landfill certification at all final assembly manufacturing sites by 2022. This certification will ensure that a majority of waste from those manufacturing sites is recycled.

Furthermore, the company plans to make all of its product packaging plastic-free and recyclable by 2025. Google has been working towards this goal since 2016, but its product packaging still uses a fair amount of plastics. The company now plans to look for recyclable alternatives to help it reach its sustainability goals while still protecting the products in transit. It’s worth noting that while Google claims that all of its new Pixel and Nest products make use of recyclable materials, the company hasn’t shed any light on the materials used on the Chromecast with Google TV dongle.

---

Source: The Keyword blog

The post Google is getting rid of all plastic from packaging by 2025 appeared first on xda-developers.

from xda-developers https://ift.tt/3mxvXP3
via IFTTT

Google prepares to bring Gmail’s Search Chips feature to mobile

Google introduced a new feature in Gmail called “Search Chips” earlier this year in February. The feature added clickable search suggestions in Gmail for G Suite users, making search filters a whole lot easier to use. A couple of months after the initial release, Google rolled out Search Chips in Gmail for consumers. And now, the company is preparing to add the feature in the mobile version of Gmail.

An APK teardown can often predict features that may arrive in a future update of an application, but it is possible that any of the features we mention here may not make it in a future release. This is because these features are currently unimplemented in the live build and may be pulled at any time by the developers in a future build.

A teardown of the Gmail app for Android (v. 2020.10.04) has unearthed new strings of code that hint at the upcoming Search Chips integration on mobile. As with the desktop version, entering any keyword in the Search bar will bring up related Search Chips right underneath the Search bar. Tapping on the Search Chips will instantly apply a filter and display all related emails underneath.

<string name="search_filtering_attachment_chip_title_with_count">Attachment+%d</string>
<string name="search_filtering_author_chip_title">From</string>
<string name="search_filtering_author_chip_title_with_name">From %s</string>
<string name="search_filtering_author_chip_title_with_name_and_count">From %1$s+%2$d</string>
<string name="search_filtering_dialog_attachment_icon_content_description">Attachment icon</string>
<string name="search_filtering_documents_chip_title">Documents</string>
<string name="search_filtering_documents_chip_title_with_count">Documents+%d</string>
<string name="search_filtering_images_chip_title">Images</string>
<string name="search_filtering_images_chip_title_with_count">Images+%d</string>
<string name="search_filtering_pdf_chip_title">PDFs</string>
<string name="search_filtering_pdf_chip_title_with_count">PDF+%d</string>
<string name="search_filtering_people_suggestion_header_title">Suggested</string>
<string name="search_filtering_sheets_chip_title">Sheets</string>
<string name="search_filtering_sheets_chip_title_with_count">Sheets+%d</string>
<string name="search_filtering_slides_chip_title">Slides</string>
<string name="search_filtering_slides_chip_title_with_count">Slides+%d</string>
<string name="search_filtering_video_chip_title">Videos</string>
<string name="search_filtering_video_chip_title_with_count">Video+%d</string>

As you can see in the attached screenshot, typing the keyword ‘calibrate’ brings up a couple of filter suggestions, including Exclude charts, Any time, Has attachment, and To me. Clicking on these suggestions will narrow down your search, which is a significantly easier process than typing out Gmail’s old filters.

As of now, we have no information from Google regarding Search Chips integration in Gmail for mobile. We’ll update this post as soon as the feature goes live in a future version of Gmail for Android.

---

Thanks to PNF Software for providing us a license to use JEB Decompiler, a professional-grade reverse engineering tool for Android applications.

The post Google prepares to bring Gmail’s Search Chips feature to mobile appeared first on xda-developers.

from xda-developers https://ift.tt/3mrsoK5
via IFTTT

Netflix prepares to add an audio-only mode for background listening

Netflix’s Android app has been steadily adding and testing new features over the past few months, including the addition of a screen lock button, playback speed controls, letting users watch partially downloaded TV shows and movies, and more. In an attempt to attract new subscribers, the streaming giant even started offering a few of its original shows and movies for free and will be hosting an event called StreamFest next month to let Indian users try out the service for free for 2 days. Now, Netflix for Android is preparing to add another nifty feature: background audio playback.

An APK teardown can often predict features that may arrive in a future update of an application, but it is possible that any of the features we mention here may not make it in a future release. This is because these features are currently unimplemented in the live build and may be pulled at any time by the developers in a future build.

In the Netflix app version 7.79.1, we have found evidence the app might soon let you listen to your favorite shows.

We have found the following strings in Netflix version 7.79.1:

<string name="audio_mode_intro_tooltip_message">Save your data by turning off the video and listening to your favorite shows.</string>
<string name="audio_mode_tooltip_title">New</string>
<string name="audio_mode_video_off_tooltip_message">The video is off, but you can continue listening to your show while you are busy doing other things.</string>

The background audio feature can come in handy when you can’t afford to stare at your screen but also don’t want to tune out of the interesting storyline. The feature essentially lets you listen to your Netflix shows like you would listen to podcasts, allowing you to attend to other important tasks, which require your complete attention. Another possible use case of the background audio feature is when you’re on limited mobile data. One of the strings we found mentions that users will be able to turn off the video feed and listen to just the audio, thereby saving the precious mobile data as well as battery life.

As is usually the case with in-development features, it’s unclear when, if ever, Netflix plans to roll out this background audio functionality to all users.

The post Netflix prepares to add an audio-only mode for background listening appeared first on xda-developers.

from xda-developers https://ift.tt/2Ja1doO
via IFTTT

Xiaomi’s MIUI Launcher is getting a horizontal recent apps screen

Xiaomi’s MIUI is one of the most popular custom UX present on Android devices, riding atop the sheer volume of sales of the company’s smartphones across varied price points. MIUI 10 brought along a new Launcher that further brought along a 2×2 app list to the Recents panel, scrolling vertically. Now, MIUI Launcher on MIUI 12 is getting an option that enables a horizontal recent apps screen.

Telegram channel @Xiaomiui shared a new version of the MIUI Launcher that brings along the new horizontal recent apps screen. MIUI Launcher Alpha v4.21.0.2425-10261728 comes with the following changelog:

1. Added new Horizontal Recents option
2. Fix the bug that some models reported incorrect points
3. Adjust the Gaussian blur scheme
4. Fix the bug that the icon disappears when dragging the folder icon
5. Optimize the problem of unloading application freeze
6. Adjust the animation in and out of the recent task

Telegram user @Deiki has managed to capture screenshots, showing the new horizontal recent apps UI in action:

As seen above, the Home Screen now gets an “Arrange Items in Recents” option, and you can choose to have either the 2×2 vertical scrolling option or the horizontal scrolling option. The horizontal scrolling option is reminiscent of what we see across other custom UX, such as OnePlus’ OxygenOS and Google’s Pixel Android UX. It’s fairly simple in usage, with a simple scroll sideways giving you access to recently opened apps. You can swipe up the app to close it and remove it from memory, and you can long-press to lock it in memory or access settings. While the 2×2 vertical scrolling Recents pane offered a lot more information at a glance, the horizontal scrolling Recents pane offers familiarity for users as this is much more widely adopted across the Android ecosystem.

While you can sideload the APK on your Xiaomi MIUI 12 device to get the feature toggle surfaced, note that it may not actually work. If everything goes well, you can expect to see the feature reach your device on a stable MIUI 12 update.

The post Xiaomi’s MIUI Launcher is getting a horizontal recent apps screen appeared first on xda-developers.

from xda-developers https://ift.tt/2HwiKqS
via IFTTT